DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen’s Statement on Senator McCain’s Comment That It Is ‘Not Too Important

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement in response to Senator John McCain’s comment that withdrawing troops from Iraq is “not too important.”

“The American people want change and John McCain’s stunning comment today that bringing our troops home from Iraq is ‘not too important’ is further proof of his intention to serve George Bush’s third term and make his policies even worse.

“In fact, if it was up to Senator McCain, he would leave our troops in Iraq indefinitely, spend countless billions more without seeing sufficient Iraqi political progress, and ignore the growing threat Al Qaeda poses in Afghanistan. Democrats are committed to responsibly redeploying our troops from Iraq, taking care of them when they come home with a new G.I. Bill, and finishing the job in Afghanistan.”

Background

Senator John McCain interviewed by Matt Lauer on NBC’s Today Show:

Lauer: A lot of people now say the surge is working.

McCain: Anyone who knows the facts on the ground say that.

Lauer: If it’s working, senator, do you now have a better estimate of when American forces can come home from Iraq?

McCain: No, but that’s not too important. What’s important is the casualties in Iraq.